Cabrio new Beetle at Detroit

Volkswagen is showing two convertible turbos at the Detroit auto show, one in Mellow Yellow and one in Aquarius Blue.

It's been in photos, in magazine and TV ads. It's even been in some showrooms, albeit briefly, on its way to some lucky customer's driveway. But last week Volkswagen made it official ‹ introducing the New Beetle convertible at the world's biggest auto show.

The New Beetle is here.

"If the New Beetle is a 'feel-good' car, the New Beetle convertible is a 'feel-free' car," said Dr. Jens Neumann, Volkswagen AG board member in charge of North America, at the 2003 North American International Auto Show Jan. 6.

Four convertible Bugs are being shown in Detroit, two with a 1.8-liter/150-horsepower turbocharged engine, which will be available this spring. The auto show is open to the public Jan. 11 to 20.

Neumann continued. "In this car, the sky is yours. You can come out of your shell and let the outside in. Fresh air will blow away your melancholic mood. Morning sun will brighten your day. You are free to connect with everyone and everything around you. You are on center stage and you will be at ease to return people's smiles."